Abstract: Described herein are various embodiments of contacts that include different portions angled with respect to one another and methods of manufacturing devices that include such contacts. In some embodiments, a module may include a first portion of a contact that is disposed within a housing and a second portion that is disposed outside of the housing, with the second portion angled with respect to the first portion. Manufacturing such devices may include depositing a conductive material to electrically connect the contact to a contact pad of a substrate. In some embodiments, a deposition process for depositing the conductive material may have a minimum dimension, which defines a minimum dimension of a conductive material once deposited. In some such embodiments, a distance between a terminal end of the contact pin and the contact pad may be greater than the minimum dimension of the deposition process.

Abstract: A flexible lens may be actuated to change its focal length by a deployable lens actuator. The lens actuator translates a rotational motion of an outer frame into a linear radial motion of a plurality of linear elements. The linear elements have fixed pins, which may be slidably coupled to cam pockets in the outer frame. The cam pockets have a gradually varying distance from the center of the outer frame. The rotation of the outer frame thus drives the cam pockets to slide about the pins, thereby causing radial motions of the linear elements. The linear elements stretch a flexible lens, thereby changing a curvature of the flexible lens.

Abstract: A lens barrel assembly, which has improved shock resistance and quickly resumes normal operation when external shock is applied, includes a first barrel including an elastic moving pin which protrudes toward a second barrel and elastically deforms. The second barrel includes a first guide groove into which the elastic moving pin is inserted and which extends obliquely in a circumferential direction to guide a movement of the first barrel, and at least one second guide groove including an end separated from the first guide groove and another end connected to the first guide groove to guide the elastic moving pin so that the elastic moving pin returns into the first guide groove when the elastic moving pin is separated from the first guide groove. The second barrel rotates in an optical axis direction and supports the first barrel so that the first barrel moves relative to the optical axis direction.

Abstract: Provided is a focusing apparatus for an optical device, the focusing apparatus including a lead screw rotatably installed in the optical device, a carriage screw-coupled to the lead screw to move in a longitudinal direction of the lead screw in response to rotation of the lead screw, a lens barrel receiving at least one lenses and moving along the longitudinal direction of the lead screw, and a bridge extending from an outer circumferential surface of the lens barrel to enclose the carriage, in which the bridge moves the lens barrel in response to movement of the carriage.

Abstract: In a lens actuator according to an exemplary embodiment, wires that connect a holder and a base of a movable unit have diameters of 30 ?m or more and less than 70 ?m, and the wires have longitudinal elastic moduli of 100 GPa or more and less than 500 GPa. The wire is flexible even if a small amount of currents are passed through a plurality of OIS coils, and the lens actuator suitable to electric power saving can be provided.

Abstract: A lens assembly includes a first lens holder that holds a first lens, a first guiding shaft that guides the first lens holder in a parallel direction to an optical axis of the first lens, a first driver that drives the first lens holder in an axial direction of the first guiding shaft, a second lens holder that holds a second lens that is different from the first lens, and a second driver that drives the second lens holder in a direction of the optical axis. Here, the first guiding shaft, the second driver, and the first driver are arranged in the stated order in a circumferential direction of a circle that is centered on the optical axis.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for auto focusing camera module includes a DFoV value measurer measuring a DFoV value of a lens; storage stored with a designed DFoV value of a lens, a controller comparing the DFoV value of a lens measured by the DFoV value measurer with the designed DFoV value of a lens stored in the storage to recognize an initial position of a lens, and a lens mover focusing the lens by winding the lens or by unwinding the lens in response to the initial position of the lens recognized by the controller.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for the production and/or adjustment of an optical arrangement of a projection illumination system, in which at least one actuator is used to set the position of at least one optical element to be manipulated by moving the optical element incrementally with a specific increment size. The increment size of the movement increments is set as a function of the distance of the optical element from the desired position, with the distance being represented by a distance value. If the distance value is above a first threshold value, a substantially constant increment size is set, while the specific increment size decreases as the distance from the desired position decreases if the distance value is below the first threshold value. Alternatively or additionally, a pre-specified deviation from the specific increment size and/or from a pre-specified increment size change rate results in a warning signal and/or ceasing of the movement.

Abstract: A lens actuating device includes a fixed member, an adjustable member, a driving unit and a movable support unit. The adjustable member is movably disposed in the fixed member along an optical axis, and has a lens module disposed therein. The driving unit is disposed between the fixed member and the adjustable member to provide a driving force for the adjustable member. The movable support unit is disposed at one side of the adjustable member opposite to the driving unit and has a first guiding structure formed on an inner side of the fixed member parallel to the optical axis, a second guiding structure, and a plurality of rolling members. The rolling members are configured into two rows and are disposed between the first and second guiding structures to fix the seconding guiding structure such that the displacement of the adjustable member is constrained along the optical axis.

Abstract: A driving apparatus includes a first axial member that is arranged so as to extend in a predetermined direction, where the predetermined direction is the axial direction of the first axial member, and a driving unit that is configured to generate a first driving force in the axial direction and a second driving force in a direction intersecting the axial direction, where the first and second driving forces are to be applied to the first axial member.

Abstract: A laser welding apparatus includes a laser welding unit including a first lens adapted to focus a laser beam; a second lens adapted to diffuse the laser beam to the first lens; and a third lens adapted to guide the laser beam to the second lens. The relative positions of the first lens, the second lens, and the third lens, are adjusted to adjust a diffusion angle and a beam width of the laser beam entering the first lens. The laser welding apparatus performs: actuating the laser welding unit to travel at a predetermined speed along a predetermined trajectory; directing the laser beam at a first welding spot; adjusting the focal length to focus the laser beam at the first welding spot; holding the laser focal spot size substantially constant; and directing the laser beam at a second welding spot after completion of welding for the first welding spot.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide concomitant mechanical motion inhibition and electrical distribution for actuator modules, such as microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) based optical actuators adapted to move and/or orient one or more lenses and/or optical devices of a camera module. A mechanical motion inhibition and electrical distribution system may include one or more flexible snubber structures disposed substantially adjacent a MEMS structure and between the MEMS structure and another component of a camera module. Each flexible snubber structure may be implemented with one or more electrical traces, flexible films, snubber films, and/or mechanical stabilizers adapted to route electrical signals to or from the MEMS structure and/or to inhibit mechanical motion of at least a portion of the MEMS structure.

Abstract: A lens barrel is provided that includes an optical system, a housing, a cover member, an electronic part, a flexible substrate. The optical system is configured to form an optical image of a subject. The housing supports the optical system in an interior. The cover member supports the housing in a state of covering an opening of the housing. The electronic part is provided in the interior of the housing. The flexible substrate is electrically connected to the electronic part. The flexible substrate has a connection terminal. The cover member has a through-hole formed in a specific direction. The connection terminal is positioned on inside of the through-hole when viewed in the specific direction.

Abstract: A movable and replaceable lens structure for electronic devices has a lens-mounting body mounted on and electrically connected with a electronic device, and a movable lens module mounted on the lens-mounting body and having a movable mechanism mounted on the lens-mounting body or a housing of the electronic device. The movable lens module has a movable mechanism mounted on the lens-mounting body or the housing of the electronic device. A lens is connected with the movable mechanism. An operation part is connected with the movable mechanism. The movable mechanism can be operated to move along a straight line, rotate or pivot, thereby moving the lens to align with an optical axis of the movable lens module and varying the focus of field of view of the movable lens module. Accordingly, the lens with different picture-taking effect can be provided, such as a wide-angle, microscopic or telescopic lens.

Abstract: A lens barrel enables to improve the optical performance thereof while realizing size reduction, structure simplification, and cost reduction in the lens barrel. A second group holding frame 21, in a collapsed state, is rotated with respect to the second group base plate 22 in a direction retracting from the optical axis A, and in a photographing state, is rotated toward the optical axis A. A compression spring 23 regulates an optical axis A direction position of the second group holding frame 21 with respect to the second group base plate 22 by urging, in the optical axis A direction, a portion of the second group holding frame 21. An engaging pin 22d and an engaging groove 21e, in the photographing state, regulate the optical axis A direction position of the second group holding frame 21 with respect to the second group base plate 22.

Abstract: A lens apparatus fixed barrel with a movable barrel therein holding an optical element and moving along an optical axis; a first operating unit rotatable outside the fixed barrel; a movable stop in the fixed barrel, the stop including a movable unit rotatable to change aperture diameter; a second operating unit outside the fixed barrel; and transmission barrel engaging with the fixed barrel in the fixed barrel and connected to the second operating unit at a first portion and to the movable unit of the stop at a second portion, the transmission barrel having an opening between the first and second portions separated from each other in the optical axis direction, in which the movable barrel is connected to the first operating unit through the opening of the transmission barrel, and moves along the optical axis by a rotation-translation converting mechanism by rotating the first operating unit.

Abstract: A rotation of a first eccentric member adjusts a parallel eccentricity of an optical element held by a holding member, rotation of a second eccentric member adjusts a tilt eccentricity of the optical element held by a holding member, and change of a position of an engaging member and a position where the second eccentric member is engaged with a second groove portion adjusts a position of the optical element in the direction of an optical axis.

Abstract: Provided is a driving apparatus for driving a movable optical member, the driving apparatus being removably attached to a lens barrel, the driving apparatus including: a rotary absolute position detector detecting a position of which the movable optical member, the rotary absolute position detector outputting an output value having a unique value with respect to a rotation angle within a range of a single rotation, and the output value having a point of discontinuity at which the output value is discontinuous every single rotation; and a controller performing boundary processing that handles the output value, corresponding to a driving range of the movable optical member, of the rotary absolute position detector having the point of discontinuity as a continuous value.

Abstract: Provided is a lens barrel in which tilt adjustment can be made depending on the position of a lens unit in the optical axis direction. This lens barrel is characterized by comprising: at least three guide bars provided so as to extend along the optical axis direction; drive means that respectively drive said at least three guide bars in the optical axis direction; a lens frame holding unit that holds an image-capturing lens, the lens frame holding unit being attached to at least three guide bars and being driven in the optical axis direction by said at least three guide bars; and a control unit that controls said at least three linear actuators so as to adjust the respective drive amounts in the optical axis direction of said at least three guide bars and to tilt the lens frame holding unit from a direction orthogonal to the optical axis.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes an optical system including a first lens group having at least one lens; a cam frame including a first cam groove; and a first movable frame including a first cam follower engaged with the first cam groove. When the first movable frame relatively rotates with respect to the cam frame, the first movable frame relatively moves with respect to the cam frame in an optical axis direction together with the first lens group. A region of the first cam groove, through which the first cam follower passes when a focal distance of the optical system is changed from a wide-angle end to a tele end includes first and second regions adjacent to each other. The first region has a groove width narrower than that of the second region.

Abstract: A lens barrel is provided that includes an optical system and a plurality of interface units. The optical system includes an optical axis and a focal distance. The focal distance is configured to be adjusted by the optical system. The plurality of interface units includes a first interface unit and a second interface unit. Each of the first interface unit and the second interface unit are configured to accept from a user an operation to adjust the focal distance. Each of the first interface unit and the second interface unit are configured to be operated around the optical axis.

Abstract: A lens module comprises a barrel, a first lens, a first spacer ring, a second lens having an effective aperture A, a second spacer ring having an inner diameter B, and a third lens having an effective aperture C. The first lens, the first spacer ring, the second lens, the second spacer ring, the third lens and the infrared cut-off filter are coaxially assembled within the barrel, along an axial direction of the barrel in that order. The first spacer ring is sandwiched between the first lens and the second lens, the second spacer ring is sandwiched and located between the second lens and the third lens. The inner diameter B of the second spacer ring is smaller than the effective aperture C of the third lens and larger than the effective aperture A of the second lens, so as to satisfy the condition of C>B>A.

Abstract: An auto focus method includes: assigning searching boundaries L=InitL, R=InitR, and acquiring the resolutions f(L), f(R); defining the focused positions X1, X2 by the golden section method, and acquiring the resolution f(X1), f(X2); determining whether or not f(X1) is greater than f(X2); moving L adjacent to R when f(x1) is less than f(x2); moving R adjacent to L when f(x1) is greater than f(x2); acquiring the focused positions L, x1, x2, and R, and the resolution of the focused positions when L?InitL and R?InitR; acquiring an optimal focus point according to the focused positions L, X1, X2, and R, and the resolution of the focused positions.

Abstract: A lens with a single detection member shared to perform focusing and zooming operations includes a base, a detection member, a focusing unit and a zooming unit. The focusing unit includes a focusing group frame and a focusing detection board. The zooming unit includes a zooming group frame and a zooming detection board. In a reset method, a signal read from the detection member is a light-passing signal or a light-shielding signal, the focusing group frame and the zooming group frame are in any position. With the focusing group frame of the focusing unit and the zooming group frame of the zooming unit, the any position of the focusing group frame and the zooming group frame can be determined, and then the focusing group frame and the zooming group frame are driven to reset as a predetermined standby position.

Abstract: A lens barrel is configured to adjust a position of an adjusted lens in the direction of an optical axis with respect to another lens. The lens barrel includes a lens frame configured to retain the adjustment lens and a base frame configured to adjustably retain the lens frame. The lens frame includes a first adjustment stepped surface including a plurality of adjustment surfaces that are adjacently disposed in the direction of rotation of the lens frame and are provided with different heights, and a second adjustment stepped surface. The second adjustment stepped surface is disposed at a position exhibiting a 180 degree rotational phase from the position of the first adjustment stepped surface. The base frame includes a support surface configured to abut with the first adjustment stepped surface and the second adjustment stepped surface.

Abstract: An oscillation motor is adapted to press an oscillator toward a driven body in a stable state and increasing a drive efficiency. A lens driving mechanism is adapted to move a lens with excellent efficiency by using the oscillation motor. An oscillation motor generates motive power by pressure contact with a driven body to transmit vibration of the oscillator to the driven body. The oscillation motor includes the oscillator having a convex output portion on a side surface at one end side. The output portion of the oscillator is arranged to contact with the driven body. A press mechanism is also provided on a side surface at the other end side of the oscillator. The press mechanism includes a pressure correction device rotatably equipped at a position where the pressure correction device contacts with the oscillator, and the pressure correction device applies a pressure to the oscillator in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes an oscillatory wave motor which drives a lens; a manual connection ring which is operated manually to cause the lens to move along an optical axis; a slip ring which is in contact with the manual connection ring; a roller which is in contact with the slip ring and with the oscillatory wave motor; and a roller support ring which supports the roller. The slip ring is structured such that frictional resistance on a contact surface between the manual connection ring and the slip ring is smaller than frictional resistance on a contact surface between the roller and the slip ring.

Abstract: The described lens assembly for use with a camera having a camera body includes a tilt assembly portion configured to allow pivotal movement of the lens body relative to the camera body. The lens assembly further includes a focus assembly configured to axially adjust a position of a removable optic assembly mounted to the focus assembly relative to the lens body to control focus of the lens assembly when the optic assembly is installed in the lens body. The lens body and focus assembly may be structured to remain coupled to the camera body after the optic assembly is removed from the focus assembly.

Abstract: The lens apparatus includes a first lens barrel and a second lens barrel disposed on an image side further than an object side end portion of the first lens barrel so as to allow a movement of the first lens barrel in an optical axis direction, a positioning member attached to one lens barrel of the first and second lens barrels, and an elastic member disposed between the first and second lens barrels to bias the first lens barrel toward an object side. Another lens barrel of the first and second lens barrels is brought in contact with the positioning member with a biasing force from the biasing member, and thereby the first lens barrel is positioned with respect to the second lens barrel in a state where a movement of the first lens barrel on the image side due to an external force is allowed.

Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) autofocus actuator having a support member for supporting a lens element, the support member including a stationary portion and a movable portion, the movable portion attached to the stationary portion by a movable support beam. An electrostatic drive member is attached to the stationary portion and the movable portion to drive movement of the movable portion with respect to the stationary portion. A lens holder is suspended within the support member by a resilient arm member attached to the movable portion and a deflection beam attached to the stationary portion so that in a non-actuated state, the lens element is in a first focal position that is substantially out-of-plane with respect to the stationary portion, and in an actuated state, the lens element is in a second focal position, the second focal position being different from the first focal position.

Abstract: A lens driving device includes a base member, a movable member that is disposed at the base member and moves in a plane that is orthogonal to an optical axis, a first driving portion that moves the movable member in a direction that is orthogonal to the optical axis in accordance with image shake, a lens frame that is mounted to the movable member and moves in a direction of the optical axis, a second driving portion that moves the lens frame in the direction of the optical axis and includes a first magnet that is secured to the movable member and a first coil that is secured to the lens frame, and a Hall element that is disposed so as to oppose the first magnet in the direction of the optical axis and detects a change in a magnetic field of the first magnet.

Abstract: A magnetic levitation motor includes a fastening unit and a moving unit. The fastening unit includes a fixing frame and a first magnet assembly. The fixing frame includes a lower plate and four guiding poles extending upward from corners of the lower plate. The first magnet assembly includes four first magnets supported on the lower plate. Each first magnet is positioned between two adjacent guiding poles. The moving unit includes a moving frame and a second magnet assembly. The moving frame includes an outer surface and defines a receiving recess on the outer surface. The second magnet assembly includes four second magnets received in the receiving recess. The first magnets are positioned above the second magnets along an optical axis of the magnetic levitation motor.

Abstract: An electronic device includes an electronic circuit board containing a processing element and a vision sensor. A carrier frame is used to support the electronic circuit board. An optical element is positioned over the sensor and supported by the carrier frame. The electronic circuit board is bent to reduce the length, thickness and/or width of the electronic device, without increasing the others of the length, thickness and/or width of the electronic device.

Abstract: A lens apparatus includes a first lens barrel member and a second lens barrel member coupled with the first lens barrel member via a cam mechanism. The first lens barrel member includes a stopper portion and a gear portion. The stopper portion comes into contact with a first contact surface formed in the second lens barrel member, when the first lens barrel member protruding from the second lens barrel member in the optical axis direction receives the external force from a front end side of the first lens barrel member in its protruding direction, to restrict a displacement of the first lens barrel member with respect to the second lens barrel member due to the external force. The gear portion comes into contact with a second contact surface formed in the second lens barrel member to restrict the displacement due to the external force.

Abstract: The patent discloses a lens barrel driving system and a backlash correction method thereof. In such system, a zoom photo-interrupter (PI) is used to detect the movement of a zooming barrel and generate a first count value. The movement of a focusing barrel corresponds to the movement of the zooming barrel, so that when the zooming barrel is driven to move from an initial position to a first zooming position or from the first zoom position to a second zoom position, the focusing barrel moves correspondingly and its movement triggers a home PI to generate a second count value. Upon the generation of the second count value, a predetermined value is used to replace the first count value so as to correct the error caused by backlash of lens barrels.

Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) autofocus actuator having a support member for supporting a lens element, the support member including a stationary portion and a movable portion, the movable portion attached to the stationary portion by a movable support beam. An electrostatic drive member is attached to the stationary portion and the movable portion to drive movement of the movable portion with respect to the stationary portion. A lens holder is suspended within the support member by a resilient arm member attached to the movable portion and a deflection beam attached to the stationary portion so that in a non-actuated state, the lens element is in a first focal position that is substantially out-of-plane with respect to the stationary portion, and in an actuated state, the lens element is in a second focal position, the second focal position being different from the first focal position.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a fixed cylinder, a first rotary cylinder rotatably provided around an axis relative to the fixed cylinder, and a moving cylinder disposed inside of the first rotary cylinder to move integrally with the first rotary cylinder on the axis and rotate around the axis relative to the first rotary cylinder. The moving cylinder includes a front protrusion group of three or more protrusions and a rear protrusion group of two or more protrusions on an outer circumference. The first rotary cylinder includes, in an inner circumference, a first circumferential groove, a second circumferential groove, a first guide having three or more depressions, and a second guide having two or more depressions. The first rotary cylinder and the moving cylinder are coupled with each other by fitting the front and rear protrusion groups into the first and second circumferential grooves, respectively.

Abstract: A lens driving device comprises a lens holder for holding a lens, a shaft for supporting the lens holder so as to make the lens holder movable in an optical axis direction of the lens and swingable about an axis of the shaft, an actuator for applying a driving force to the lens holder so as to move the lens holder in the optical axis direction; and an urging member for applying an urging force to the lens holder so as to rotate the lens holder toward the actuator. In the lens holder, a position where the urging force is applied by the urging member and a position where the driving force is applied by the actuator oppose each other, so that the urging force from the urging member is directed to the actuator.

Abstract: A lens barrel projects out of a main body of a camera during photographing and is accommodated in the main body of the camera during non-photographing and includes a plurality of lens assemblies including an escape lens assembly to be movable along a reference optical axis of the camera, and an escape unit to control the escape lens assembly to escape from the reference optical axis while the escape lens assembly moves from a photographing position to a non-photographing position, wherein lenses of the escape lens assembly have an optical axis that is in a skew position with respect to the reference optical axis in a position where the escape lens assembly has escaped.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a digital camera which comprises a sensor holder on which an image sensor is mounted and at least one adjustment ring. The adjustment ring is configured to rotate around an optical axis (OA) of the camera. The sensor holder and the at least one adjustment ring are configured to interact via at least one cam surface such that when the at least one adjustment ring is rotated with respect to the sensor holder, a normal direction of the sensor is adjusted in relation to a direction of the optical axis.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a first lens holding member holding a first lens group, a second lens holding member holding a second lens group and an adjustment mechanism capable of adjusting the position of the first lens holding member relative to the second lens holding member. On a first plane of the second lens holding member, provided are at least three positioning parts abutting on the first lens holding member at positions surrounding the second lens group, and a sheet member attached to the first plane at a position surrounding the three positioning parts. The sheet member is pressed against the first lens holding member in the photographing optical axis direction while surrounding the first lens group throughout, between the adjustment mechanism and the first plane when viewed in the photographing optical axis direction.

Abstract: A lens actuator includes a carrier that is configured to retain a lens; a first AF coil that is disposed in the carrier while wound about an axis perpendicular to a lens retaining surface; first to fourth magnets that are disposed opposite the first AF coil in four directions parallel to the lens retaining surface; a first OIS coil that is disposed opposite the first magnet; and a second OIS coil that is disposed opposite the second magnet. A current is passed through the first AF coil to move the carrier in a vertical direction along an axis. The currents are passed through the first and second OIS coils to a movable unit in front-back and left-right directions. Therefore, weight reduction of the movable unit can be achieved to provide a lens actuator, in which electric power saving can be achieved.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a lens retaining member retaining a lens group and having a retaining-side cam follower, a moving member being movable in an optical axis direction with respect to the lens retaining member and having a moving-side cam follower, a rotary barrel having a retaining-side cam groove and a moving-side cam groove and being configured to rotate, thereby giving the lens retaining member and the moving member moving force; an elastic member giving the lens retaining member and the moving member relatively pushing force in the optical axis direction, and a rotating load restraining mechanism retaining rotating load of the rotary barrel generated by the pushing force. The rotating load restraining mechanism includes the moving-side cam groove provided such that the angle made by the part on which the moving-side cam follower abuts and the plane orthogonal to the optical axis becomes small, in a sharply inclined area.

Abstract: The image projection apparatus projects an image onto a projection surface through a projection optical system including a focus element (104) movable in an optical axis direction. The apparatus includes a shift mechanism that moves the projection optical system in a shift direction including a directional component orthogonal to the optical axis direction so as to move a position of the projected image on the projection surface, a shift position detector that detects a shift position of the projection optical system moved by the shift mechanism, a temperature detector that detects a temperature, and a controller that moves the focus element. The controller moves the focus element depending on the temperature detected by the temperature detector and on the shift position detected by the shift position detector.

Abstract: A lens barrel is provided that includes a base, a motor, a drive gear, and a rotary frame. The motor is fixed to the base and produces a driving force. The drive gear is coupled to the base and configured to transmit the driving force. The rotary frame has a substantially cylindrical shape and a gear component disposed on at least part of its inner peripheral surface. The gear component meshes with the drive gear so that during rotation of the drive gear the rotary frame rotates, via the driving force, relative to the base component and advances and retracts along a rotational axis of the lens barrel. The length of the drive gear is greater than the length of the gear component, and as the rotary frame and the gear component advance and retract, the gear component remains within a range of opposing ends of the drive gear.

Abstract: The lens barrel includes a first frame, a second frame configured to be rotatably supported by the first frame, a drive actuator that is disposed on the inside of the second frame, and a transmission mechanism disposed on the inside of the second frame and configured to transmit the drive force of the drive actuator to the second frame. The imaging device includes the above-mentioned lens barrel and an imaging element that converts an optical image formed by this lens barrel into image data.

Abstract: A lens position adjustment apparatus includes: a transmission unit that is displaced in a first direction oriented from one end point toward the other end point or a second direction oriented from the other endpoint toward the one endpoint to transmit power of a drive source; a conversion unit that moves a lens by using the power supplied from the transmission unit; a drive control unit that controls the drive source; a position detection unit that detects a current position of the transmission unit; and a storage unit that stores a registered position and a registered direction, wherein the drive control unit controls the drive source in such a way that a final displacement direction is the second direction in case that the registered position is within a predetermined amount of displacement from the one end point, and that the final displacement direction is the registered direction otherwise.

Abstract: An apparatus for immersion lithography that includes an imaging lens which has a front surface, a fluid-containing wafer stage for supporting a wafer that has a top surface to be exposed positioned spaced-apart and juxtaposed to the front surface of the imaging lens, and a fluid that has a refractive index between about 1.0 and about 2.0 filling a gap formed in-between the front surface of the imaging lens and the top surface of the wafer. A method for immersion lithography can be carried out by flowing a fluid through a gap formed in-between the front surface of an imaging lens and a top surface of a wafer. The flow rate and temperature of the fluid can be controlled while particulate contaminants are filtered out by a filtering device.

Abstract: A lens focusing device includes a lens holder, a winding fitted around the lens holder, and an outer case enclosing the lens holder therein. The outer case includes an outer wall portion, and multiple inner wall portions connected to the outer wall portion via multiple connecting portions. The inner wall portions are located between the lens holder and the winding, and respectively include an inner surface, an outer surface, and a first and a second side surface. The lens holder is formed on an outer face with confining areas, each of which includes a main surface and a first and a second raised side surface respectively facing against the inner surface and the first and second side surfaces, so that the inner wall portions are limited to move relative to the lens holder only within the confining areas. Therefore, the lens focusing device is impact-resistant and undue-twisting protected.

Abstract: A lens focusing device includes a lens holder for holding a lens therein, a base, and an electrically conductive spring member elastically connected to between the lens holder and the base. The base is provided on a side wall with two terminal recesses, in which two connecting terminals are disposed. The connecting terminals respectively include a first terminal portion forward extended along a light axis to electrically connect to the spring member, a second terminal portion rearward extended along the light axis, and a connecting portion located between the first and the second terminal portion. The spring member is further electrically connected to two ends of a winding wound around the lens holder, so that external electric current can be supplied to the winding via the connecting terminals and the spring member for driving the lens holder to move relative to the base along the light axis.